- From Members of the Public
- From Councillors
Minutes:
Please note that a full record of the questions and responses is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 20 November 2025 - YouTube. Time codes for each question will be provided before the wording of the question.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Questions 1-3 from the public were withdrawn, as Maria Rooney was not in attendance to present the questions.
4. Alderman Ned Newitt
0:22:40 - 0:31:05
“Noting that the Council has a statutory
responsibility to provide allotments, this question relates to the
terms of the draft lease which is currently being offered to the
City’s 23 allotment societies, who for the last 100 years
have collected rents and managed the lettings of about 3,000 plots
– this being a much cheaper option than the Council's direct
management of each site. It relates to the proposed
‘repairing’ lease which is a clear departure from past
practice and is of great concern to many allotment
committees.
Given that the City Council has already had to take over the
management of one large site in Aylestone because the committee
stepped down, what are the likely consequences of making local
volunteer committees responsible for the additional costs and
duties of financing and managing the repair and maintenance of
gates, perimeter fences, tree works, roadways and water
infrastructure of 118 hectares of City Council land for a 30-year
period?”
Cllr Dempster provided a response to this question and to Anderman Ned Newitt’s supplemental question.
5. Rishu Walia
0:31:05 - 0:38:00
“The question is regarding the recent public artwork displayed in Leicester involving an image of Mata Durga, which many in our community found deeply inappropriate and offensive.
Was the commissioning organisation aware of the religious importance of Diwali in the Hindu faith before approving the concept?
Were any consultations made with recognised Hindu temples or religious organisations before the artwork was approved or displayed?
Were any major Hindu religious or cultural organisations involved or consulted in the creation or approval process?
Were local Hindu artists or cultural contributors invited to participate in shaping the Diwali theme, considering it is the most significant festival in Hinduism?
Were any known Hindu artists previously approached or considered for this work, especially those with experience in traditional or religious art?
Which Hindu religious or cultural bodies (if any) endorsed or supported this particular painting?”
Cllr Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Rishi Walia’s supplemental question.
6. Nitesh Dave
0:38:00 - 0:42:10
“What actions has Leicester City Council taken to make proceedings at full council and committee meetings more accessible to members of the public both in person and online?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Nitesh Dave’s supplemental question.
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS
Note The Lord Mayor requests that Members take account of the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14 in the Council’s Constitution in putting questions and in particular Rule 14 (a) (vi) regarding supplementary questions:
“(vi) At the meeting, after a question has been given a reply (including by way of a consolidated reply), the person who asked the question may ask one supplementary question for the purposes of clarifying the reply and, in the following paragraphs of this part of this Rule the word 'question' shall include such a supplementary question.”
1. Cllr March
0:43:15 - 0:49:47
“Given the notable level of interest in libraries and community centres plus the sizeable number of consultation responses received, I am seeking assurance that whatever the next steps in this process are, that officers and the executive member will continue to listen to the voices of residents, and children particularly, please, and to work through solutions with our communities?”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr March’s supplemental question.
2. Cllr Agath
0:49:47 - 0:55:25
“The consultation proposal for the Tudor Centre involves it being transferred to a local group under the Community Asset Transfer process. Can you give me an absolute assurance that not only current services will be protected but also that local community groups will be encouraged to make use of that building?”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question.
3. Cllr Kaur Saini
0:55:25 - 0:58:30
“Reports of racially aggravated sexual assaults have risen across different communities, creating fear and prompting increased safety measures. These crimes are unacceptable.
As Leicester City Councillors, we are dedicated to creating communities that are safe, inclusive, and respectful. We firmly oppose all forms of hate directed at any member of our community.
Can the executive member please tell us what work is ongoing to reduce violence against women?”
Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question.
4. Cllr Rae Bhatia
0:58:30 - 1:01:05
“People of Leicester pay their council tax which they expect to be used to serve their needs and not to be wasted around. So, can the City Mayor tell this council what was the reason for paying Biffa £10mn, and why has it been embargoed from public disclosure when it's their money? City residents have the right to know why their hard-earned money has been used in the manner it has been.”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Rae Bhatia’s supplemental question.
5. Cllr Joannou
WITHDRAWN
6. Cllr Osman
1:01:05 - 1:03:55
“Our existing cemeteries are nearing full capacity. What steps are being taken to resolve this issue? Can the City Mayor confirm whether progress on establishing any new sites have been delayed due to the focus on Local Government reorganisation and has a capital budget been identified to address this matter for the future.”
Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Cllr Osman’s supplemental question.
7. Cllr Osman
1:03:55 - 1:09:18
“What progress has been made to address the waiting times on new telephone lines for the customer care centre and improvements on opening hours.”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr Osman’s supplemental question.
8. Cllr Osman
1:09:18 - 1:11:40
“Whilst I cautiously welcome the Government announcement of new funding in the Thurncourt Ward as the ward councillor, but my constituency has never been consulted on how the grant will be spent. What is the process and when will we get the money to make a difference.”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Osman’s supplemental question.
9. Cllr Karavadra
1:11:40 - 1:15:12
“Our city is currently experiencing significant challenges with fly-tipping and littering, which are unfortunately contributing to both unsanitary conditions and an increase in the rat population. This situation is creating an unhealthy environment for our residents. I would be grateful if the Assistant Mayor could share what measures are being planned to address these issues. Additionally, what strategy is being employed to effectively manage the rat infestation problem throughout the city including fining those who contribute to it?”
Cllr Cutkelvin provided a response to this question.
10. Cllr Modhwadia
1:15:12 - 1:21:05
“Over the years, especially in last 4-5 years the city has lost its textiles business quite rapidly. This has drastically impacted the ward that I represent. Can the City Mayor tell us what measures the council is taking to bring back these businesses back into those empty factories and to regenerate the employment and growth needed for the city?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Modhwadia’s supplemental question.
11. Cllr Haq
1:21:05 - 1:24:40
“How many fixed penalty notices have been issued to cyclists in Leicester city centre in the past 12 months?”
Councillor Whittle provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.
12. Cllr Haq
1:24:40 - 1:31:10
“There has been dozens of complaints about the Bus services in Evington, particularly concerning Centre Bus.
How much money is being paid to Centre Bus from Leicester City Council?”
Councillor Whittle provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.
13. Cllr Haq
1:31:10 - 1:34:05
“There is a shortage of Send secondary school places is the council planning any further investment?”
Cllr Pantling provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.
14. Cllr Sahu
1:34:05 - 1:38:00
“How many miles of gullies, and how many open drain grids are the responsibility of Leicester City Council?
How many miles of those gullies and drain grids have been cleared in the last 3 months?”
Councillor Whittle provided a response to this question and to Cllr Sahu’s supplemental question.
15. Cllr Sahu
1:38:00 - 1:46:30
“What percentage of the target population in Leicester received the life saving HPV Vaccine in 2014?
What percentage of the target population in Leicester received the life saving HPV Vaccine in the last recorded figures for the city?”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr Sahu’s supplemental question.
16. Cllr Sahu
1:46:30 - 1:52:50
“Would the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods wish to comment on her recent response to the consultation on the future of Libraries and Community Centres?”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr Sahu’s supplemental question.
17. Cllr Kitterick
1:52:50 - 1:57:40
“When did Leicester City Council write to the Government about the case of Ms X which was debated on 18th September 2025? Has the council received a reply?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Kitterick’s supplemental question.
18. Cllr Kitterick
1:57:40 - 2:02:20
“As the Mayor of a City that offered sanctuary to the victims of the murderous Idi Amin regime in the 1970s, does the City Mayor support Shabana Mahmood's recently announced proposals for changes to the asylum and refugee regime in the UK?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Kitterick’s supplemental question.
19. Cllr Kitterick
2:02:20 - 2:06:00
“With the news that Leicester has the lowest Disposable Income in the whole of the UK, does the City Mayor agree in the words of one anti-poverty campaigner that "The City is falling apart"?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Kitterick’s supplemental question.
20. Cllr Porter
2:06:00 - 2:10:47
“Can the council please specify the number of new build council homes completed in the last two financial years, excluding acquisitions, conversions, or purchases of existing properties.”
Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Cllr Porter’s supplemental question.
21. Cllr Porter
2:10:47 - 2:18:28
“We are being told that free public museums like Newarke Houses must close for most of the year to ‘save money’, yet the council has committed over £550,000 to a new cafe at the Richard III visitor centre. This decision is said to rely on visitor numbers and footfall data from Leicester Cathedral and BID Leicester; data that councillors and the public have not been allowed to see. If the business case is sound, why keep the evidence secret? This is taxpayers’ money and residents deserve transparency about how decisions are being made. Will the council now publish the data and the full business case in the interests of openness and accountability?”
Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr Porter’s supplemental question.
22. Cllr Porter
2:18:28 - 2:22:40
“In a Guardian article of 16 November 2025, ‘I think the city is falling apart’, the mayor was quoted making serious claims about Leicester’s finances. Did the mayor state that ‘about 70% of our total spend is on adult and social care’? And if so, can the council explain the basis of that figure, given that it appears to contradict the council’s own published budget data?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Porter’s supplemental question.
23. Cllr Porter
2:22:40 - 2:26:30
“Does the council accept that the misuse of fireworks outside recognised celebration periods has become a problem in Leicester; creating a serious public nuisance, distressing pets and wildlife and compromising public safety? What specific measures will the council now put in place to tackle this issue?”
Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Cllr Porter’s supplemental question.
24. Cllr Haq
2:26:30 - 2:29:35
“Will Leicester City Council consider supporting the terminally ill residents with council tax relief as other councils are in England?”
City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.
25. Cllr Chauhan
2:29:35 - 2:34:30
“Several landlords have claimed that the £1,290 selective licensing fee is unreasonably high. Can the Council explain how this fee was calculated, why it is necessary, and how it ensures the scheme is fair and primarily aimed at protecting tenants rather than acting as a hidden tax on responsible landlords?”
Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Cllr Chauhan’s supplemental question.